Cantaloupe

Did you know that U.S. cantaloupes are actually a type of muskmelon? True cantaloupes, named for Cantalupo, Italy, are mainly grown in Europe and are quite different from the American type that are at their peak June through October.

Sweet, juicy and fragrant, cantaloupes can be served as appetizers, desserts or beverages. The large seed cavity in the pale orange flesh can also be hollowed out and filled with other fruits or salads. Muskmelons, which are usually sold only at farmers' markets, are larger and a bit sweeter than cantaloupes but can be used in the same ways.

Purchasing

Select cantaloupes that are heavy for their size with a strong, sweet fragrance.

The netting on the skin should be thick and well raised.

Ripe melons yield slightly to pressure at the blossom end. Avoid any fruit with soft spots or an overly strong aroma.